With his feet firmly planted on the ground, 17-year old Jack Ellston will still be soaring high above Forest Park as he watches the balloons at the Great Forest Park Balloon Race.
Jack was born with cerebral palsy (CP), a neurological disorder that affects the communication between the brain and the muscles, causing problems with mobility. It occurs in about two to three out of every 1,000 babies born. CP varies from person to person, with some people requiring a wheelchair or walker to move. Others with mild disability, like Jack, can walk without assistance. Perhaps that’s why he felt so compelled to reach out to other children with CP.
“I thought it would be nice to help out kids with the same thing I have.” In 2009, Jack became a volunteer at Camp Independence, a unique sports camp for children with cerebral palsy. This year, 60 children from 15 states attended the camp, sponsored by the Paul and Carol Hatfield Cerebral Palsy Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
Camp Independence gives kids with CP the opportunity and support to participate in sports including tennis, Pilates, adaptive bike-riding, martial arts, basketball, soccer, baseball, volleyball, swimming, dancing and ice skating.
“My patients benefit so much from activities like Camp Independence or our basketball, swim, martial arts, and dance classes, because they really help build self-esteem,” said Dr. Jan Brunstrom-Hernandez, pediatric neurologist and founder of Camp Independence. “These activities show kids they can participate in things they never thought possible. It shows them that everyone can be included and everyone can play, regardless of their ability.”
As a camp volunteer, Jack paired up with a 10-year-old child named Austin as his designated ‘buddy,’ taking extra time to help Austin navigate his wheelchair for each sport. With Jack’s help, Austin’s favorite sports during camp were tennis and ice skating.
“Baseball is my favorite sport,” says Jack, who also plays on his school’s baseball team as a pitcher and outfielder, and is an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. “I try to show other kids like me that they can try to do everything to push your body and live up to your potential.”
His motivation to inspire was so strong, Jack convinced his siblings – a sister and two brothers – to become camp volunteers too. “It gives me a sense of fulfillment that makes me feel like I’m doing something good with my life.”
Like Jack, a fellow patient of Dr. Brunstrom-Hernandez shows that anything’s possible, despite the physical challenges of children with CP. 11-year-old Sophie Bailot, a fifth-grader who plays on her school basketball team will experience the unique opportunity to ‘fly’ as she takes her first ride in the St. Louis Children’s Hospital balloon at the Balloon Race on Saturday, September 19, 2009.
Jack and his family are longtime fans of the event and will again be watching. This year, Sophie’s ride gives Jack one more reason to cheer. “I think what she’s doing is pretty cool. If I wasn’t afraid of heights, I’d love to take the ride myself.”
Even without a balloon, Jack’s attitude alone is pretty uplifting.